What is Average Response Time in Senior Living?
Response time is the amount of time it takes for a senior living facility to reach out and respond to a resident after they have been notified of said resident’s request. Average response time is the total response time across a business and divided by the total number of requests.
This process usually begins by calling the resident and then making sure that everything is okay. If it is, then the staff will continue on with their day. If something does not seem right, then they will investigate further and try to find out what happened. In these situations, response time refers to the time from the resident request until a member of the staff reaches them for assistance. For example, if a resident falls and pushes an alert button, the time to response would begin once the button is pressed. Once a staff member reaches the resident to begin assisting, the response time will stop.
Why Is Response Time Important in Senior Living?
Senior living is a demanding industry with a lot of moving parts. It is not just about the care that you provide; it is also about how quickly you respond to your residents' needs.
Response times are important in senior living because they help ensure that residents are well taken care of. It is used to assess staffing levels and service quality in a senior living facility. Improving response time takes proper communication, staffing levels and standard operating procedures. In fact, some studies have shown that residents who live in facilities with quick response times tend to suffer fewer falls than those who live in facilities without a quick response time.
What Is the Average Response Time in Senior Living Facilities?
The average response time of a senior living facility is usually measured in minutes and seconds. Generally, if a resident has to wait longer than 5 minutes for a staff member to respond to their call, there is a larger issue at hand that must be addressed.
It is important that seniors feel safe and secure when they live in senior living facilities. If they do not receive immediate help when they need it, this can lead to significant health issues for the individual and even death.
The average response time for a senior living facility should be less than 5 minutes because of this risk factor.
How Do I Lower a High Response Time in My Senior Living Facility?
If you are running a senior living facility, you know that one of the biggest challenges is keeping your residents happy and healthy. But if you are also experiencing an unusually high response time, you might be wondering how to lower it.
Here are some steps you can take:
- Make sure that your staff is trained on how to handle situations quickly and efficiently. This means they need to know how to handle the most common emergencies, as well as any other issues that may arise.
- Ensure proper communication channels and alert systems are used to activate and mobilize the entire staff toward helping the resident. This will help ensure the closest, most available staff member helps the resident.
- Establish clear protocols for how staff should respond when an emergency occurs. If there are any situations where a call should be made immediately (e.g., a resident has gone missing), make sure that all employees know who to call and what information needs to be given over the phone.
- Keep track of which residents have been waiting longer than usual for responses from staff. This will allow you to identify people who need extra attention during busy times or those who may be experiencing health problems that make it difficult for them to get help quickly when needed (e.g., patients with dementia).
